About the Authors

Magie Relph and Robert Irwin in Mali
Magie Relph and Robert Irwin: Gare Routiere, Sikasso, Mali

Magie Relph
Magie Relph is a quilter, textile artist, teacher and author. Since 1984 she has wandered and wondered throughout Africa, studying, documenting and buying African textiles. In the 1990s she opened her battered cardboard suitcase to her quilt group and her fair trade ‘accidental business’ – The African Fabric Shop – was born.

Robert Irwin
Robert Irwin has only had malaria once, but he’s had Africa in his blood since he was 10. For over 30 years he has travelled, photographed and written about Africa.